April 20–What Are You Living On?

Jesus, the Living Word of God, answered the tempter’s every push, plea, pressure and twisted persuasion with the true, eternal Word of God.

How much more should we get to know, trust and depend on–live on–the truth and power of God’s Word to feed us, lead us and strengthen us every moment, every day of our lives!

Jesus answered, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

We need God to live. Bread is good–even very good (especially warm and fresh from the oven). But we don’t actually live on bread…or fruits…or vegetables…or meats…or chocolate…or coffee. At least not in the deepest part of our souls (even if it does comfort them!) And not for all eternity.

We need God to live. Now. And Eternally. Without God there is no life. As a matter of fact, God’s Word even tells us that, “…the LORD is your life” –Deuteronomy 30:20.

Jesus made it clear that we actually live on the words of God–every word that comes from the mouth of God.

As we get to know, trust, depend on–live on–God’s Word, our minds and souls will be fed with the absolute assurance that in Christ alone our deepest needs are met. Our needs for unfailing love and life eternal!

This really is what my soul hungers for–even if I act temporarily as if something less than these will satisfy me or fill the cravings.

No man-made bread, even from Great Harvest Bread Company (mmm…mmm!), could ever fulfill those deepest soul needs. No. We live on God’s Word.

And as we live on God’s Word–right here and now–our minds and souls will be fed the strength, courage and self-control from our Lord so that we may be victorious over the trappings of any and every temptation that comes our way.

I know that when I give into temptation (darn it!!!)–whatever that may be, it is not because of lack of nourishment within God’s Word. No, it is because I chose, at that time, not to go back home to my Abba’s table where His living, active and powerful Word are always available to me. And had I gone to Abba’s Word Buffet, I would have received all I needed to deal with any of the pushes, pleas, pressures or twisted persuasions that life presents to me.

As I–as we–choose to live on–feed on–God’s Word, we will be shaped by it, just as we are shaped by our physical food. God’s Word will shape us and transform each one of us to be more and more like Jesus. Loving, true, strong, wise, humble, powerful.

For myself, I have come to really believe that God’s Word is absolutely essential for my life and for my mental, spiritual, relational and, yes, even for my physical health.

I must live on God’s Word to truly live! And how delicious God’s Word is!